2018 – Berlin

Where: Kienbergpark Umweltbildungszentrum, Berlin, Germany

When: 27 October – 5 November 2018

The Idea

Everywhere and around the world, people, especially young people, are out and about taking photos – a few hundred million daily, usually with their smartphones. Aside of private images there is a mass material published by big media, and the border between the two is blurring.

Posting, liking and sharing images creates a world-wide sphere of non-verbal communication. Young people especially are becoming fluent in this new language of pictures, as early adopters and eager experimenters with the newest technologies and platforms.

But if image is a message, its understanding depends on the knowledge of context, ability to imagine the world behind it, and differentiate between genuine expression and manipulation.
That is something young people can struggle with as they are pressed on all sides by marketers and “influencers”.

One way to give youngsters the necessary skills and knowledge is to create situations where they can create images consciously and discuss their meanings. This is also a good opportunity to focus on issues that they’re usually only passively informed about – for example, environmental issues.

Nature in Frame was such an opportunity. It enabled young people to to find their own ways to “speak” on the topic of environment, and thanks to its international nature also compare their experiences across borders.

The Outcome

The final outcome of the workshop was a photography exhibition at Jugendkunstschule Marzahn-Hellersdorf. All participants were included, each on their own panel with name and portrait photograph. As a special touch, each participants showed two pictures: one taken in their home country, the other during the workshop.

Partner organizations

  • APDD – Agenda 21 (Romania)
  • Asociación Axé Social (Spain)
  • Cooperativa Terracoste (Italy)
  • EDEN Center (Albania)
  • GRÜN BERLIN GmbH, ORA Network e.V.
  • Roter Baum Berlin (Germany)
  • Udruženje Crveno drvo Srbija (Serbia)
  • Zdravo Da Ste (Bosnia and Herzegovina)